December Month End Budget Update for Shopping and Eating Out

I work every month to save money through our grocery shopping.  I budget $160 for groceries and $40 for eating out so that we are under $200 every month.  I shop sales, use coupons and as many deals as I can find to come in under budget.  We try to cook almost all of my meals at home from scratch and use all the groceries to spread the deals as far as possible.  We have tons of stuff in the pantry, fridge and freezer to use for the coming months but sometimes that doesn't always mean that I don't go over budget because of amazing deals that I find.

Below is what I got for the month which just so happens to be everything that I bought during the first half of the month.  Normally I break down the second half of the end of the month post but there this nothing new from when I posted here.  We took some time on vacation and enjoyed time with family without too much shopping.  Here is the quick summary of the month with link to more details here.

Harris Teeter $0.06

Harris Teeter $10.28

Harris Teeter $4.29

Harris Teeter $0.06

Harris Teeter $11.10

 

Harris Teeter $0.06

 

Harris Teeter $0.06

 

Harris Teeter $0.04

Bought two yeast but didn't take a picture...oops

Harris Teeter $2.30

Harris Teeter $0.13

Harris Teeter $9.87

Harris Teeter $6.45

Harris Teeter $0.18

Harris Teeter $1.76

Harris Teeter $9.59

Harris Teeter $2.15

 

Harris Teeter $0.89

 

Harris Teeter $15.83

Harris Teeter $6.16

Aldi $28.89

Aldi $30.28

Trader Joes $4.09 

Harris Teeter $4.08

 Harris Teeter $5.21

Total Retail $803.27

Total Savings $649.46

Total OOP $153.81

I went a little crazy at the beginning of this month with some splurges including laundry detergent, beef jerky, lotion, and cookies but I had $6.19 left for the month to spend and I actually stopped spending money.  I know that I got a ton of great values and stocked up on a lot of things so hoping that I made some good choices to get through the month even though I spent almost all my budget for the whole month in half the time. Lucky that I did!!

Eating Out

We got Pizza Hut at the beginning of the month for $10.60.  I had a gift card for $5 for Chik-Fila and I stopped and used it to get a sandwich which was a tasty treat in a busy day of running around and no money out of pocket.  We had a gift card which we used to go to lunch after furniture searching and we only left an extra $3 tip beyond the gift card.  We earned a free pizza which we used on a late night out to get a free pizza.  This brings us under budget for the month for eating out until the end of the month where we had a big family dinner and ordered Chinese food for $94.45.  My sister in law paid for half of it and we paid for the other half but it was more like a Christmas gift instead of eating out but $58.05 does make it over budget.  All together, I was only $11.86 over budget which really isn't that bad during the holidays.

Menu Plan Monday 1/7

Monday- Chicken Fries. Chicken Wraps, and homemade fries
Tuesday- Pork Chops with mac and cheese
Wednesday- Limone Parmesan Spaghetti with zucchini
Thursday- Chicken and white rice
Friday- Steak and Baked Potatoes
Saturday- Leftovers
Sunday- ?? Breakfast for Dinner

Well, we are back to regular schedule since the break and the holidays. Trying to put together a meal plan with things from the freezer and pantry.  I need to do a better inventory to start the meal planning but at least this is a start.

Hangman's Sonnet Book Review

I was looking for some other books to read when I found Robert B. Parker's The Hangman's Sonnet (A Jesse Stone Novel) by Reed Farrel Coleman.  It was the newer releases from the Jesse Stone series so I was excited to read it.  Then I found out that I actually missed two books so I was excited to get to read them back to back. 

The stellar new novel in Robert B. Parker's New York Times--bestselling series featuring Paradise police chief Jesse Stone.

Jesse Stone, still reeling from the murder of his fiancée by crazed assassin Mr. Peepers, must keep his emotions in check long enough to get through the wedding day of his loyal protégé, Suitcase Simpson. The morning of the wedding, Jesse learns that a gala 75th birthday party is to be held for folk singer Terry Jester. Jester, once the equal of Bob Dylan, has spent the last forty years in seclusion after the mysterious disappearance of the master recording tape of his magnum opus, The Hangman's Sonnet.

That same morning, an elderly Paradise woman dies while her house is being ransacked. What are the thieves looking for? And what's the connection to Terry Jester and the mysterious missing tape? Jesse's investigation is hampered by hostile politicians and a growing trail of blood and bodies, forcing him to solicit the help of mobster Vinnie Morris and a certain Boston area PI named Spenser. While the town fathers pressure him to avoid a PR nightmare, Jesse must connect the cases before the bodies pile up further.

The book quickly jumped in and had references to the previous book to get me caught up.  I had forgotten all that happened in the last book so it was nice to get back to knowing what was going on.  It started off quickly with Suit getting married and talks about Terry Jester having a big party in town.  Things get off to a fast start and there is already questions on how things are going to turn out.  An elderly women dies in her home with mysterious circumstances so everyone is on edge.  The quiet town is not used to having people break in to houses.  Jesse is dealing with all the issues with the death and trying to figure out the motivation.  Make sure you pick up the book and find out what happens with the large party and the search for the killers that leads to more murders.  I hope that you check out this book and all the other books in the Jesse Stone series.  I was so glad to get a chance to read more about this and fingers crossed for more movies!!

Every Breath Book Review

I was like 1,000 people down on the reserve list at the library to get this book but I was ready to read the next installment of the Nicholas Sparks book.  His books are always filled with great stories and amazing characters.  I was excited when this got on my reserve shelf that I knew I had to start reading soon.  Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks was not a disappointment because it was hard to put down and you were instantly pulling for the characters.

In the romantic tradition of The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with a story about a chance encounter that becomes a touchstone for two vastly different individuals -- transcending decades, continents, and the bittersweet workings of fate.
Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she's been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family's cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future.
Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother's early life and recapture memories lost with her death. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.

Illuminating life's heartbreaking regrets and enduring hope, EVERY BREATH explores the many facets of love that lay claim to our deepest loyalties -- and asks the question, How long can a dream survive?

It was amazing to read the next book by Nicolas Sparks and it didn't let me down.  It was hard to put down this book after I got started because the story was so great.  I was pulling for the characters and had to see what was going to happen next.  Hope goes to her parents beach house for a weekend because she has a wedding close by.  She is dealing with her parents selling the house and moving on because they need the money for ongoing care for her sick father.  Tru comes to the same beach town from Africa to meet his birth father.  He ends up staying in the house next to Hope and rescuing her dog after he was hit by a car.  The friendship grows quickly between the two and you can see that they are growing to more then friends.  Neither can figure out how they can change their whole life to make any relationship work.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens after the few days at the beach because you will totally be surprised.  I was ready to keep reading more of the story of these two people who found each other on the beach of North Carolina.  I hope that you check out this book for yourself and enjoy it as much as I did.

Middle of the December Budget Update

I work every month to save money through our grocery shopping.  I budget $160 for groceries and $40 for eating out so that we are under $200 every month.  I shop sales, use coupons and as many deals as I can find to meet my budget.  We cook almost all of my meals at home from scratch and use all the groceries to spread the deals as far as possible.  We have tons of stuff in the pantry, fridge and freezer to use for the coming months.

Below is what I got so far for the month.  Each shopping trip is broken down below with details about how much things cost and how I used my budget.

Harris Teeter $0.06

I got these on sale and used a coupon so that I only had to pay tax.

Harris Teeter $10.28

The chips, yeast, bacon, Crest, band aids, and mug cakes were free.  The Vital Wheat Gluten was in the clearance rack so I got it for $0.49 which was better then sale and coupon I paid before but I think that they were clearing out stock so I won't be able to get it there next time.  The sugar was on sale for $0.97 each.  The Ortega was on sale for $1.25 so they were $0.25 after sale and coupon.  There was an additional rebate for $0.75 each from Ibotta so they were money makers.  The Energier batteries were on sale for $3.49 and I had a $1 printable coupon to make them $1.49 each and there was a rebate for $1.00 from Ibotta. Bonus was I got $0.25 any item rebate.

Harris Teeter $4.29

The chips, yeast and lotion were free after sale and coupons.  The beef jerky was my splurge for my husband at $2.49 each but I got some overage because the coupons fully doubled so I got $1.13 extra off.

Harris Teeter $0.06

I got these on sale and used a coupon so that I only had to pay tax. 

Harris Teeter $11.10

I got free yeast, chips, toothpaste, olives and tea bags.  The oatmeal was on special and my son's favorite and my friend gave me coupon that made them free so it was my best find.  The  beef jerky was because my husband ate a whole bag when I brought them home the other day so they were $2.49 each.  The Tide was $2.47 each which I was going to pass on because I had so many but my friend talked me into it.  The super glue was a need but got them on sale with a coupon for $0.99 each.  We have already used it for a bunch of projects.

Harris Teeter $0.06

I got these on sale and used a coupon so that I only had to pay tax. 

Harris Teeter $0.06

I got these on sale and used a coupon so that I only had to pay tax. 

Harris Teeter $0.04

I got these on sale and used a coupon so that I only had to pay tax. 

Harris Teeter $2.30

I got free lotion, bacon, yeast, spices, chips, tea and meat balls.  The Cheez Its were $0.49 per box with the coupon from Kelloggs Family Rewards.

Harris Teeter $0.13

These were all free so I only paid tax.

Harris Teeter $9.87

I got lots more freebies with the ranch seasoning, bacon, noodles, soup, sweet chili sauce, and biscotti.  The corn was on sale for $0.88.  The Dimatapp was $6.99 so I paid $2.99 after coupon but there was $2 Saving Star, $2 Ibotta and $0.25 any cough syrup so it was a money maker.  The batteries were an even better deal because I found a coupon for $1.25 so it doubled to $2.50 so they were $1 each and then I got back $1 from Ibotta and I got an any item $0.20 too.

Harris Teeter $6.45

Free band aids, spice packets, bacon, noodles, and biscotti.  The Cabot cheese was $0.99 each and the Nutella was $1 each.

Harris Teeter $0.18

Free after coupons and sales so I only paid tax.

Harris Teeter $1.76

I got free ranch seasoning, iced tea, noodles, meatballs and cheese raviolis.  The cranberry sauce was $1.49 which I grabbed because I thought I needed it for Christmas dinner but turns out that I am not cooking this year so I guess we will have a big meal eventually.  This was a crazy trip to the store with amazing meat clearances for sausage for $0.49 each.  I came home and cooked it all and froze it to use later. Some coupon was over doubled because it should have been more like $3.50 but I don't know what happened even after looking at the receipt.

Harris Teeter $9.59

I got free ranch seasoning and meatballs.  I thought that the cheese raviolis were free too but they were  $0.24 each because the price at this store was different...oops!  The cube steak was on sale for $2.35 so that was a tasty dinner.  The batteries were $1.50 for two packages and $1.00 for one package and then I did rebates for $1 back each. The Neutogena face wash was $6.99 shelf price and sale and coupon brought it down to $1.59 each bottle.  There was a rebate for $2 each so it was a money maker.  Two electronic coupons came off of the meatballs so I think that this came in cheaper then expected too.

Harris Teeter $2.15

I got the beef raviolis for $0.99 per bag and the ranch seasoning for free.

Harris Teeter $0.89

This is when I finally realized that the pricing wasn't the same at my normal Harris Teeter but I got the ranch seasoning for free and the ravioli were $0.24 each.

Harris Teeter $15.83

It was the end of super doubles and I went a little crazy.  I am still not sure what happened but I got free noodles, soup, bacon, and meatballs. I got the beef ravioli for $0.99 and the cheese manicotti for $0.99.  The All Detergent was on sale and I had two coupons left so they were $1 per bottle.  The eggs were on sale for $0.87 a dozen so I grabbed two to stock up for baking.  My last items were the Aveeno lotion was $3.19 after sale and coupon.  There was $2 Ibotta rebate.  The other was the expensive Neutogena face lotion which was $6.15 after sale and coupon but the price was different on the app so I went to customer service and they gave me around $0.78 cash back.  There was an Ibotta rebate for $4 back.  I also got $0.25 any item rebate and $1 Aveeno/Neutogena bonus.  Super happy to have my SPF lotion that I need for every day.

Harris Teeter $6.16

My husband was out of lunch meat so I grabbed two packs with the coupons that I printed from the website so they were $2.49 each.  We were totally out of of lettuce too so I grabbed a head for $0.99.

Aldi $28.89

I went to Aldi in Manassas after a doctors appointment.  I got $0.59 pretzels, $0.75 nacho chips, $0.99 salsa, $1.69 skim milk, $0.85 margarine, $2.29 Parmesan cheese, $1.25 corn tortillas, $1.55 cookies, $0.89 corn starch, $0.89 mini marshmallows and $1.45 blocks of cheese.  The chicken was on clearance but the scanner didn't work so it should have been $13.81 less $2 but they charged me $8.72.  In addition, there was a coupon for $5 off a $30 purchase so I got lots of great deals!

Aldi $30.28

I went to the store to stock up on frozen chicken with my $5 off coupon to use.  I also grabbed popcorn kernels because we were running low.  My husband also wanted hamburger rolls for the hamburgers he just got for Christmas.  My husband also picked the special kettle corn.  We also grabbed a big mad libs for my son for Christmas so I might have to figure out if I have to subtract $5 at the end of the month.

Trader Joes $4.09 

We went shopping for new furniture and my husband decided to get this treat after shopping.

Harris Teeter $4.08

My son needed a can of frosting for a school project and the rest is for my son's birthday party since he loves store bought frosting. They were $0.99 each after sale and coupon.

 Harris Teeter $5.21

They were on sale for $1.27 so I got the limit and stocked the cupboard.

Total Retail $803.27

Total Savings $649.46

Total OOP $153.81

I went a little crazy at the beginning of this month with some splurges including laundry detergent, beef jerky, lotion, and cookies but I have $6.19 left for the month to spend but I don't think that we are going to need much of anything.  I know that I got a ton of great values and stocked up on a lot of things so hoping that I made some good choices to get through the month even though I spent almost all my budget for the whole month in half the time.

Eating Out

We got Pizza Hut at the beginning of the month for $10.60.  I had a gift card for $5 for Chik-Fila and I stopped and used it to get a sandwich which was a tasty treat in a busy day of running around and no money out of pocket.  We had a gift card which we used to go to lunch after furniture searching and we only left an extra $3 tip beyond the gift card.  We have left some money to eat out again during the holidays in case we have too many things going on and need to fit in a meal on the go.  I have $26.40 left for the rest of the month.